Following two unconvincing warm up matches Drybrook clicked into gear for Friday night’s match at home to a Hartpury College XV.
The pitch was in immaculate condition and the warm evening sunshine brought out a large crowd to witness a free flowing game of rugby.
The students made the early running and began to get on top at the scrummage. There was no scoring until the 19th minute when a powerful Hartpury scrum led to a penalty award that was converted for a 3pts nil lead.
Drybrook hit straight back and forced a line out deep in Hartpury territory where a couple of forward drives were just held out. The ball was eventually moved out and a clever grubber kick from scrum half Mitch Baldwin led to winger Chris Rawlings touching down under the sticks to make Tom Treherne’s conversion a formality.
Drybrook defended well to keep Hartpury out when the students enjoyed their best period of play but the home side conceded far too many penalties in the process.
Eventually Drybrook got back into it and then a Hartpury defender was shown a yellow card for denying Drybrook the opportunity of a quick tap penalty.
Following a lot of pressure in the red zone Mitch Hale was driven over for a try.
With the half drawing to a close Drybrook shunned a penalty award in front of the posts to kick for the corner but a series of attempted catches and drives were kept out by good defence from the visitors.
Half Time:
Drybrook 12pts
Hartpury 3pts
A great start to the second half for Drybrook resulted in try number three when they drove forward from a line out on the visitor’s 22 metre line and hooker Luke Fisher emerged from a pile of players to claim the try.
Drybrook began to get stronger as the student’s game fell apart and from a 5 metre scrum back row man Joe Tingle crashed over for a try with Treherne adding the extras.
It was then Drybrook’s turn to lose a man to the bin when winger Sam Peaper was shown yellow for obstruction but despite this disadvantage the home side remained in control.
Next came a terrific try when centre Kristian Taft ran out of defence after spotting a gap in
the Hartpury midfield. He took play over half way and found Neil Morgan in support who dummied past a couple of defenders before moving the ball on. A couple of off loads later it was Morgan who took the final inside pass to crash over for the try.
Following this score Hartpury upped their game and spent a long period attacking the home line and eventually got their reward when they crossed for a try after 32 minutes.
Drybrook had the last say when Peaper scampered over for a try after a dropped pass by Hartpury was hacked on in midfield.
Alun Richards converted to complete a convincing victory for Drybrook in which Joe Tingle was the stand out performer.
Drybrook; Tom Treherne, Sam Peaper, Kristian Taft, Joe Watts, Chris Rawlings, Ben Large (Capt), Mitch Baldwin, Mitch Hale, Luke Fisher, Craig Boughton ,Will Greenway, Glen Nott, Mitch Bourne, Danny Price, Joe Tingle.
Replacements; Matt Freeman, Neil Morgan, Hugh Rimmer, Dean Jelf, Alun Richards, Dean Large.
